Whitetail Deer Facts

Well-nourished bucks begin sprouting new racks each April. Antlers can grow more than 1/2" per day.

-If temperatures drop to single digits farenheit, whitetail deer often move during the midday hours.

-The large ears of deer can rotate 180 degrees and pick up high-frequency sounds.

-The entire molting process for whitetails is gradual, taking several months to complete. From early spring to late summer, a deer's coat transforms from a ragged pelage to a solid deep auburn.

-When hunting in October, hunters will notice that the deer's coat has changed from red to grey. The change occurs quickly, often within one to two weeks.

-A whitetail's hair appears bluish-grey in winter. New hair that grew in during autumn provides whitetails with added insulation. The tips on these new hairs are dark, giving the winter hide its richer hue.

-Studies have shown that deer can smell human scent on underbrush for days after we leave the woods. Wary bucks react very negatively when they run across our scent, often becoming leery of the area for weeks afterwards.

-Bucks most often bed by laying on their right side and facing downwind, which allows them to use their eyes, ears and nose to detect danger approaching from any direction.

-Deer are quick and skillful swimmers, often taking to water when frightened. Deer can easily swim across lakes or rivers at over 10 miles per hour.

-When running, a deer takes a long stride, with its tracks spaced as much as 25 feet apart.